Rawvega

Incorrect. It's called offering options. Which Sprint has done for years with the Open World OR Global Roaming Plan.

 

For Latin America, this is a price hike, plain and simple.

 

And when Sprint did that people in this very thread were complaining about confusion. So like I said, it's impossible to please all of the people all of the time.

 

To your other point, things are usually not "plain and simple". Again, it depends on usage. If someone uses 2 GB in Latin America that's $30  under Open World. Under the new Global Roaming it's $25. So in that scenario how is that a price hike?

Not necessarily. If one only plans to use 1 GB or less in Latin America and/or they plan to do a fair amount of talking on the phone then yes, Open World is probably the superior option. However, at 2 GB of usage and above this new Global Roaming plan quickly starts looking more appealing especially considering $25/week for unlimited (whatever that means in this case) at 4G speeds vs $30/GB at 3G speeds. Again, it depends on the individual user. It's impossible to please all of the people all of the time. If you feel that Open World is better for your needs then keep it, problem solved.

To go along with this new plan, I see that they added a few more countries to the roaming list such as Belize and Saudi Arabia. It also appears that both sides of St. Maarten are now covered (something that has caused some consternation for a few people) along with Saba and Sint Eustatius (Statia), though the map hasn't been completely updated to reflect the latter two. Actually the entire map seems sorta borked currently as it paints just about every country in green whether there's a Global Roaming agreement or not (ex: Vietnam, Nepal). The biggest omissions now seem to be on the African continent though I imagine that most of those countries aren't particularly high on many customers' vacation lists.

If I'm understanding these changes correctly, the biggest loss going from Open World to this new plan is unlimited calling in Latin American countries, save for Mexico. However, bumping the top available speeds from 3G to 4G probably more than makes up for that for most people. It just depends on an individual's usage needs.

Has anyone been on a cruise to the Bahamas or any other place while using Sprint Open World?

Yep, I've cruised to the Bahamas while on Open World. I posted about it earlier in this thread.

 

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So I won't expect them to care about their customers only about profits. Except for T-Mobile they care about their customers.

 

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Don't kid yourself...

https://now.sprint.com/getaway/?ECID=vanity:getawayECID=SM:FB:P:CoupleOne:UF:2242017

 

A chance to win 100,000 American Airlines Aadvantage miles, $2,000 in spending money and a Samsung Galaxy J3 Emerge courtesy of Sprint.

 

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http://newsroom.sprint.com/news-releases/sprint-and-open-mobile-announce-joint-venture-in-puerto-rico-and-us-virgin-islands.htm

 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. & SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sprint (NYSE:S) and PR Wireless, doing business as Open Mobile, today announced an agreement to combine their businesses in Puerto Rico, together with Sprint’s business in the U.S. Virgin Islands, into a new joint venture. The joint venture between two of the key players in the Puerto Rico wireless market will create a stronger competitor offering postpaid, prepaid, Lifeline and business services with increased scale, expanded distribution, improved network capacity, faster speed, and a deeper spectrum position. Sprint and Open Mobile will have a 68% and a 32% economic interest, and a 55% and 45% voting interest in the joint venture, respectively. Evercore served as financial advisor to Open Mobile on the transaction.

 

“The combination of Sprint and Open Mobile will put us in a better position for sustainable growth and long-term success in the competitive Puerto Ricomarket,” said Claudio Hidalgo, Sprint’s Regional President for Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “We will be able to more efficiently and effectively run the joint venture by integrating our strong employee teams, retail operations, and network and spectrum assets to create an improved mobile experience for our customers.”

 

“Looking at each company and our strengths in various segments of the market, we saw an incredible opportunity to join forces in a way that will benefit our customers, our employees and our business,” said Juan Saca, CEO of Open Mobile. “Our employees will be able to offer customers more competitive plans and better wireless coverage, with Open Mobile customers having a wider variety of devices to choose from and plans that include nationwide coverage and options for international roaming.”

 

The joint venture takes advantage of the strengths of both Sprint and Open Mobile. A Board of Directors will be established with Open Mobile and Sprint each designating representatives. A senior management team, to be named by the Board prior to closing, will manage day-to-day operations of the joint venture out of Puerto Rico. The transaction close is subject to review and approval by the Federal Communications Commission, along with other regulatory authorities, which is expected to take several months.

 

Both companies will continue to operate separately in the market under their current brands until the transaction closes. No action is required by existing Open Mobile, Sprint, Boost Mobile, or Virgin Mobile customers at this time, and they can remain on their existing devices and service plans. All customers in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands can expect a smooth transition, and additional information will be provided to all customers when the transaction closes.

 

I've had zero problems of the sort. /shrug

 

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Imagine the Sprint/Openmobile deal complete .And after that a Tmobile/Sprint merger.. What would be the scenario...?

Better coverage on the island?

 

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Tweet pic from John Legere

https://twitter.com/JohnLegere/status/831265363140628481 and not to mention the press release pic which is the same thing states that.

 

Tmobile Employee who confirmed from reading internal documentation.

https://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/comments/5u1fuo/new_hd_video_will_just_need_to_be_enabled_one/dds0fxx/?context=3

 

Reddit link from asking Tmo Chat

https://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/comments/5uet4y/t_mobile_confirming_256_kb_speed_with_t_mobile/

Alright thanks. I guess because I was reading the release on mobile I only saw the text, not the chart.

 Even Tmobile is doubling their international roaming 2G speeds to 256 kbps starting tomorrow on the Tmobile One plan.

 

Where has T-Mobile said this? Reading the press release they only mention including HD video and upping hotspot to 10 GB on the One plan.

 

https://newsroom.t-mobile.com/news-and-blogs/tmobile-one-ups-verizon.htm

http://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/ringplus-customers-to-migrate-to-ting-as-service-shuts-down

From Gunther

 

 

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I couldn't find a coverage map on Openmobile's website. Do they provide coverage in the interior portion of the island where Sprint does not?

 

 

Yes, they appear have coverage in the interior of the island, though some of it looks to be 3G.

 

http://www.openmobilepr.com/servicios/detalle/cobertura

 

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It depends on what they are wanting. I have traveled there and never had a problem.

I imagine they're wanting good coverage and good speeds at a reasonable price, pretty much like the rest of us. I think we can agree that there is a HUGE difference between visiting somewhere and actually living there when evaluating a network's performance. If the rumors are to be believed then stock would be used for the acquisition as opposed to cash.

 

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That would not be the best use of funds. Sprint already has quite good coverage in Puerto Rico.

 

Not according to the people that live there and post in the Puerto Rico/USVI thread.

I thought Band 13 was a subset of Band 17 which is a subset of Band 12

Nope. Band 13 is it's own animal. There's a chart on this page: http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/cellulartelecomms/lte-long-term-evolution/lte-frequency-spectrum.php

VZW is not allowed to have a native network in Puerto Rico.

 

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Oh really? I never knew that. I suppose that would explain why they're the only major carrier that doesn't have a network there.

 

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They could decommission Band 13 and sell or trade it to t-mobile or AT&T or a local carrier for more PCS band. My understanding is that Open Mobile uses PCS for CDMA. Sprint can consolidate all of there PCS and have 1x and 3G in 5x5 and have up to 20x20 of PCS LTE depending on how much spectrum they have. They might have to spilt it into multiple carriers but it would really improve the network. I would assume Open Mobiles equipment is compatible with Sprint CDMA and is at least some of it is compatible with Sprint 1900LTE. IMO Sprint still should have bought the 800 SMR in that auction few month back.

Like Sprint, neither t-mobile not AT&T use Band 13 anywhere else so why would they be interested? If Sprint elected to sell or trade it, the only logical partner would seem to be Verizon. AFAIK Verizon doesn't own any other spectrum there so who knows if they would want to enter that market at all, let alone armed with only a 10x10 (12x12?) slice of Band 13 spectrum.

 

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If this comes to fruition I can already imagine the usual suspects around the Internet complaining about Sprint spending money on Puerto Rico as if the customers' money there isn't just as green.

One interesting thing is that Open Mobile appears to use Band 13 LTE there. That's probably not an issue for those with LTE iPhones, Google Pixel phones and the like. However, I wonder if Sprint would mandate band 13 in all phones going forward. That's kind of a big deal just to have 700 Mhz coverage in Puerto Rico and the USVI, however I wonder if that might dovetail with possible Verizon LTE roaming in the future.

Battery life on my Note 5 is simply atrocious. The getting stuck in standby mode bug is rather annoying as well

 

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Hm, so Im looking to switch from the global roaming to Open World as I am going on a cruise next week and want to take advantage of the promotion...

 

When I go here

https://www.sprint.com/landings/openworld/index.html?INTNAV=LP:GlobalRoaming:LearnMore

 

The list of countries does NOT mention the islands.

 

But they ARE shaded in on the map

 

 

Edit: I see on the services add-on menu it is a separate line item that has to be added!

Which islands are you referring to? I know that earlier in the thread you mentioned Sint Maarten and i shared my experience on that. Pretty much everywhere in the Caribbean should be fine except for the Dutch side of St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius and Cuba.

 

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It would be nice if sprint had excellent LTE service during CES by bringing extra capacity online. Hopefully that is more of the focus instead of handing out uber coupons.

 

 

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I don't really see how one precludes the other.

For those coming to Las Vegas for CES:

 

http://newsroom.sprint.com/news-releases/ces-2017-visitors-get-free-uberx-rides-up-to-10-from-sprint.htm

 

LAS VEGAS (BUSINESS WIRE), January 03, 2017 - Sprint (NYSE:S) is teaming up with Uber to help attendees skip the long cab lines during CES®. Building on previous successful collaborations with Uber, Sprint is providing free UberX rides (up to $10) from the Las Vegas Strip or McCarran International Airport to the Las Vegas Convention Center from Jan. 5-8.

 

It’s simple and easy for CES attendees to take advantage of this offer. Uber enables users to simply push a button and find out how to get a ride. Riders simply have to open the Uber app and they will see a special Sprint vehicle view that riders can select to take an Uber to or from the convention center for free up to $10. This will be available to riders from the Strip or downtown. It’s a seamless way to get to the Las Vegas Convention Center and with $10 off your ride, there’s no better time to tap the app!

 

In addition to free rides to the convention center, Sprint is also providing free UberCHOPPER rides1 of the Las Vegas Strip from Jan. 5 through Jan. 8. Just open the Uber app and enter the promo code “SPRINTCHOPPER” to unlock the free promotion. Once the ride has been initiated, an Uber will pick up riders from the Convention Center and take them to the UberCHOPPER lounge at the Maverick helipad. They will then board a helicopter and fly high above the Strip.

 

"Our continued partnership with Uber brings exciting and unique offers to this year’s CES attendees,” said Jim Hyde, president, Affiliates and Wholesale-Sprint. “Sprint is making sure CES attendees will be transported in style with UberX rides to the Las Vegas Convention Center and a premium view of the Las Vegas Strip after the show from a free UberCHOPPER ride.”

 

Riders who take advantage of this great offer will also have the opportunity to receive a $200 Uber rider credit when they switch to Sprint2.

 

“Collaborating with Uber allows us to deliver innovative offers that provide value to consumers, which is exactly what Sprint and Uber are all about,” Hyde said.

 

“We are excited to partner with Sprint to provide a reliable and affordable transportation option for CES attendees,” said Eric Wimer, Uber general manager. “Navigating Las Vegas during CES just got a whole lot easier with free rides of up to $10 sponsored by Sprint.”

 

Now is the perfect time to switch to Sprint and get the Best Unlimited Plan – unlimited data, talk and text. Customers can get two lines of Unlimited for $100 a month and enjoy unlimited mobile optimized streaming videos, gaming, music and data3. And, unlimited 4G LTE data for most everything else, all while on the Sprint Network.

 

That's terribly confusing. Sprint ended up crediting your account, right?

 

Nope, no need to. There weren't any unusual international roaming charges on my bill. It all fell under the normal Open World price of $30/GB. I imagine that was because their international map showed the entire island in green Open World coverage while I was there. However, shortly after I returned home I noticed that they changed the color of the coverage on the Dutch side to purple while leaving the French side green.

 

Yes, you're correct though, it can be quite confusing.

 

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